By Faridat Salifu
The Enugu State Government has unveiled a plan to set up 260 Smart Farm Estates across the political wards in state to enhance agricultural productivity, tackle unemployment, and improve food security.
The initiative, dubbed “One Ward, One Smart Farm Estate,” is a key component of Governor Peter Mbah’s agricultural reform strategy. It has been allocated N2 billion in the state’s 2025 budget, underscoring the administration’s commitment to modernizing the sector.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Patrick Ubru, led an inspection team to the pilot Smart Farm Estate in Akpawfu, Nkanu East Local Government Area, where he assured that the project would introduce innovative farming techniques and encourage local participation.
The pilot phase, covering 200 hectares, will accommodate 200 farmers, each assigned specific crops. The estate will feature uninterrupted electricity, water supply, irrigation systems, and perimeter fencing for security. A central warehouse is already under construction.
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Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture, Mike Ogbuekwe, stated that the estates would support local food production and export-oriented crops such as sorghum and Ose Nsukka, a prized yellow pepper variety.
He disclosed that Nigerian Breweries had expressed interest in sourcing sorghum from the state once production scales up.
Ubru highlighted that beyond increasing food output, the initiative will address youth unemployment and enhance farmers’ skills through training programs at the local level. Town hall meetings will be held across local government areas to educate farmers on participation opportunities.
The Enugu State Government is collaborating with local councils, cooperatives, and agricultural agencies like IFAD-VCDP and FADAMA to ensure the initiative’s success.
Stakeholders have been urged to partner in advancing the state’s vision for an agriculture-driven economy.
